Improving the load flexibility of industrial air separation units using a pressure?driven digital twin

Air separation units are one of the prime examples for studies on demand side management and (non-)linear model predictive control due to their high power consumption energy storage potential. These plants separate ambient air into its main components, nitrogen, oxygen, argon, by means cryogenic distillation at different pressure levels. Approximately two thirds industrially operated consider argon either as a value product or reasons efficiency. However, most in literature neglect since this requires additional equipment, increases heat process integration and, thus, complexity control. In work, digital twin an unit with system is used analyze improve load change procedures. Moreover, potential applying soft sensor demonstrated.